Constellation Inspiration Stereo 1.0 Owner's Manual

2

CAUTION
To reduce risk of electric shock, do not remove any of the amplifier’s cover plates or screws. There are no
user serviceable parts inside. Contact qualified service personnel.

WARNING
To reduce risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this amplifier to moisture, rain, or excessive humidity.

The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the

user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that

may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.

Thank you for purchasing the Constellation Audio Inspiration STEREO 1.0 or Inspiration
MONO 1.0 amplifier. You are about to experience one of the finest amplifiers ever built.

Because of their very high power output, these amplifiers demand careful and thoughtful
installation in order to deliver the performance it is designed to achieve. This is especially
true of the Inspiration MONO 1.0, which delivers double the power of the Inspiration
STEREO 1.0. By reading through this brief manual and following the simple steps outlined
within, you can ensure that your amplifier performs at its very best.

Contents

Page Topic

4 Before you install the amplifier

Unpacking
AC connection
Locations
Speakers
In the event of malfunction

6 Connections

BAL input
Direct input
RCA input
Speaker-cable binding posts
15-amp IEC AC socket
Trigger jack

8 Controls / displays / indicators

Front power switch
LED status indicator
Master power switch
Mute switch
Input select switch

10 Operation
Initial installation and power-up
Normal operation
11 Maintenance
11 Troubleshooting
14 Specifications: Inspiration MONO 1.0
15 Specifications: Inspiration STEREO 1.0
16 For more information

4

Before you install the amplifier

Unpacking

DO NOT lift the Inspiration amplifier by the power button
on the front panel. Lift it only by the side edges as
described below.

At 55 pounds each, the Inspiration MONO 1.0 and
Inspiration STEREO 1.0 are too heavy for one person to lift
safely. Two strong people are required to lift each amplifier
and to move it from place to place.

Likewise, do not place these amplifiers on surfaces that
cannot safely support their weight. Lightweight furniture
and equipment racks should not be used to support these
amplifiers.

Lift each amplifier by hooking your fingers under the side
edges, as indicated by the arrows in the photos at right. It’s
a good idea to wear soft gloves to protect your fingers and
help avoid fingerprints on the amplifier.

AC connection

For best performance, each amplifier should be plugged into its own dedicated 15- or 20-amp AC outlet, with
no other component but the amplifier connected to that AC circuit.

It is especially desirable to provide a dedicated AC output if the amplifier is used with a speaker that has
impedance dips down into the 2- or 3-ohm range at certain frequencies, a high-level signal at these
frequencies can draw potential peaks well over 1,000 watts per channel with the Inspiration MONO 1.0.

While it may be tempting to plug two Inspiration MONO 1.0s into a single AC circuit, we caution against it,
especially if you have 15-amp AC circuits. A single 15-amp circuit provides only 1,800 watts of power, which
isn’t sufficient to allow two Inspiration MONO 1.0s to reach their peak output capability with low-impedance
speakers. Not only will sound quality suffer, your listening sessions might be interrupted often when the
Inspiration MONO 1.0s’ considerable power draw trips your home’s circuit breaker.

Do not plug the amplifier(s) into a power strip or AC line conditioner—few such products are designed to
handle the current that these amps can pull.

Before making or changing any connection to the amplifier, turn off the master power switch on the rear
panel and allow the amplifier to cool down for at least 1 minute.

When you connect or disconnect the AC cord, always grasp it by the plug, not by the cord itself. Pulling the
plug out by the cord can damage the cord, the AC socket, and/or the amplifier.

5

Location

The Inspiration MONO 1.0 and Inspiration STEREO 1.0 must be installed in an area with adequate ventilation.
There should be at least 6 in/15 cm of clearance between the vents on the side of the amplifier(s) and the
nearest wall or cabinet. Ensure that no curtains or shades can be lowered in a way that will block the
amplifier’s vents. If the amplifier is installed in a cabinet or in an equipment closet, ensure that the
cabinet/closet has adequate ventilation. Installation in an unventilated cabinet or closet may cause the
amplifier to overheat.

These amplifiers require a room-temperature environment to operation properly. Ambient temperature
should be about 70°F/21°C, plus or minus 10°F/5°C. Never install the amplifier in a place where it may be
exposed to direct sunlight, and do not install it next to a room heater, radiator, air conditioner, etc. Ambient
temperature can rise even more quickly with two Inspiration MONO 1.0s, so if you place both of them in an
enclosed or tight space, make extra sure to provide plenty of ventilation and air flow.

Make sure that the amplifier will not be exposed to moisture. Do not locate it in an area where it might be
spilled on, and do not place it in a humid location (such as an unfinished basement).

Before making or changing any connection to the amplifier, turn off the master power switch on the rear
panel and allow the amplifier to cool down for at least 1 minute.

Installing the Inspiration MONO 1.0 or Inspiration STEREO 1.0 in a place where it will be exposed to direct
sunlight or moisture, or where it will not have adequate ventilation, will void your warranty.

Speakers

The Inspiration MONO 1.0 and Inspiration STEREO 1.0 produce sufficient voltage and current to drive
practically any loudspeaker made, regardless of the speaker’s impedance, sensitivity, or power rating.
However, the Inspiration STEREO 1.0 and, especially, the Inspiration MONO 1.0 have enough power to
damage some loudspeakers if used carelessly. When you turn up the volume on your preamp, do it gradually.
If you hear distortion, crackling or mechanical thumps from the speaker, turn the volume down immediately.

You can best appreciate the amplifier’s performance by connecting it to a large set of full-range
loudspeakers. It will sound excellent with small speakers, too, but if you connect it to a small set of speakers,
avoid turning the volume on your preamp to maximum.

BE VERY CAUTIOUS if you intend to connect the output of the Inspiration MONO 1.0 or Inspiration STEREO 1.0
to the speaker-level input of a powered subwoofer or subwoofer amplifier. It could result in serious damage
to the Inspiration amplifier. Before attempting this, read the full explanation on page 7.

Constellation Audio is not responsible for damage of any speaker connected to the Inspiration MONO 1.0 or
Inspiration STEREO 1.0.

In the event of malfunction

Do not under any circumstances open the cabinet of the amplifier. There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
Opening the cabinet can present a shock hazard even if the AC power is disconnected. Any alteration or
modification of the amplifier’s internal parts or circuit will immediately void your warranty. If your amplifier
does not function correctly, refer to the Troubleshooting section at the end of this manual. If you are still
unable to resolve the problem, contact your authorized Constellation Audio dealer. If any liquid is spilled on
the amp, or if any metal object (such as a staple or a paper clip) is inadvertently forced in through the vents,
immediately disconnect the AC power and contact your authorized Constellation Audio dealer.